O.C. man sentenced to jail for impersonating police officer
A Mission Viejo man was convicted and sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail and three years' probation for impersonating a police officer at a Lake Forest massage parlor.
Edward Justin LaPorte, 48, entered Golden Spa on Jan. 31, 2011, pretending to be a police officer investigating the parlor because of complaints. Wearing a silver badge and carrying a firearm in a shoulder holster, LaPorte demanded a massage and $200 for the fake inspection, according to a statement from the Orange County district attorney's office.
During LaPorte's 30-minute massage session, the spa manager reported the incident to Lake Forest's business licensing department, which sent a representative to investigate.
As LaPorte left Golden Spa, a real licensing inspector arrived and confronted LaPorte. Authorities said LaPorte yelled and left the spa without paying.
Both the licensing inspector and manager recorded LaPorte's license plate number, which led to his arrest.
LaPorte pleaded guilty to commercial burglary, misrepresenting oneself as a peace officer, having a concealed firearm and carrying a loaded firearm in public, according to the district attorney's statement.
LaPorte was a police officer in Arlington Heights, Ill. between 1997 and 2001. He moved to California after leaving the police force.
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